Mar 11, 2009. /Lesprom Network/. Korsnäs AB has acquired Rockhammar mill from Rottneros for a total consideration of SEK 145 million ($17 million), as Papernet informed Lesprom Network. Rockhammar mill produces chemical pulp, CTMP, and has a production capacity of 60 thousand tons annually. The mill has applied for environmental permission to increase the yearly production to 90 thousand tons. Following the acquisition of Rockhammar, Korsnäs will be largely self-sufficient in pulp for its entire production of paper and cartonboard, which is expected to reduce production costs. The pulp from Rockhammar will mainly be used by Korsnäs-owned Frövi cartonboard mill, located near Rockhammar. The transaction is subject to approval by relevant competition authorities and is expected to be finalised before the end of March. "I am very pleased to welcome Rockhammar into the Korsnäs family," says Christer Simrén, CEO of Korsnäs. "The acquisition makes us largely self-sufficient in pulp, including CTMP, which Rockhammar produces." "The opportunity to add investments such as this one to the profit enhancement-program, which is under implementation in Korsnäs, reduces our production costs, makes us independent of the development on the pulp market, and will contribute to a stable and competitive future for Korsnäs. This is an important step towards our long-term goal of an operating margin above ten percent," Simrén concludes.